HealthSheets™

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Stuffy Nose, Sneezing, and Hiccups in Newborns

Squeeze the bulb before you put the syringe into the baby’s nose.

Occasional nasal stuffiness and sneezing are common in newborn babies. Hiccups are also common.

Stuffy noses

Babies can only breathe through their noses (not their mouths). So when your baby’s nose is stuffed up with mucus, it’s much harder for him or her to breathe. When this happens, use saline nose drops or spray (available without a prescription) to loosen the mucus. You may also use a bulb syringe to clear out your baby’s nose.

Using a bulb syringe

Squeeze the bulb.

Put only the tip of the syringe in the baby’s nose. (Don’t push the syringe up the baby’s nose.)

Release the bulb. This sucks mucus out of the baby’s nose and into the syringe.

DON’T put the syringe in the baby’s nose before squeezing the bulb. Doing so will blow mucus farther up the nose.

After use, clean the syringe well with hot water and soap. While the tip of the syringe is in the soapy water, squeeze and release the bulb. This will fill the syringe with hot, soapy water. Then remove the tip from the water and squeeze the bulb again to empty the syringe. Repeat this process with clean, hot water to clear the soap out of the syringe.

If you have questions about using a bulb syringe, ask your baby’s healthcare provider.

Sneezes

Babies sneeze to clear germs and particles out of the nose. This is a natural defense against illness. Sneezing every now and then is normal. It doesn’t necessarily mean the baby has a cold.

Hiccups

Hiccups are normal and babies don't seem bothered by them. Breastfeeding or sucking on a pacifier may help get rid of the hiccups. If not, don’t worry. They’ll stop on their own.

When to call your child's healthcare provider

An occasional sneeze or stuffy nose usually isn’t a sign of a problem. But if these happen often, they could mean the baby has a cold or other health problem. Call your baby's healthcare provider if your baby: